Call Analysis: 2012 MLS Championship Game

Following the Los Angeles Galaxy's 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo during Saturday's MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center, several Dynamo players questioned calls made by referee Silviu Petrescu during the match. The following includes several player and coach comments and subsequent video replay analysis of the respective plays' Qualities of Correctness.

48th Minute Offside Call: Robbie Keane Goal Negated
QOC: Correct Call / Video: David Beckham's free kick deflects to Keane, who is correctly ruled offside.
Analysis: Tommy Meyer attempts to deflect a free kick to Keane, who is offside at the time of last contact.

60th Minute Out-of-Bounds: Corner Kick to Galaxy
Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall: "It's a clear header by the other team. It's frustrating because it's close to the linesman and the referee both miss it."
QOC: Correct Call / Video: N/A
Analysis: Header attempts on descending drives wherein the offensive player jumps to a height greater than that of his opponent often provides a difficult opportunity to rule final contact. In this situation, offensive player Gonzalez's attempt was ruled to have deflected off his defender before bounding wide of the goal post. The ball's trajectory suggests this call was correct; lack of conclusive evidence suggests this call was not incorrect.

63rd Minute Foul: Second Keane Goal Called Back
QOC: Correct Call / Video: Omar Gonzalez is ruled to have fouled his opponent on a header.
Analysis: Though Gonzalez's arms may have been pinned or clamped between his opponent's bicep and forearm, if Gonzalez was ruled to have held his opponent and this was the primary action employed.

65th Minute Handball: Penalty Kick Awarded to LA after Illegal Use of Hands in Goal Area
Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark: "It definitely wasn't voluntary."
QOC: Correct Call / Video: Clark blocks Mike Magee's attempt by handling the ball
Analysis: Though the Laws state the corresponding infraction as requiring the player to "handle the ball deliberately," the official is instructed to consider, amongst other criteria, whether the ball has moved towards the hand/arm or the hand/arm towards the ball. Replays indicate Clark's arm appeared to move into the path of the shot attempt, rather than the ball moving toward an established position of his hand and arm.

93rd Minute Penalty: PK as GK Hall Holds And/Or Recklessly Trips Keane to Earn Yellow Card
HOU Manager Dominic Kinnear: "I do think that Tally Hall touched the ball before Robbie Keane went down."
HOU GK Tally Hall: "I did touch it before. I know there was contact, but the referee can't see everything...If I hadn't touched it, I think it would have been a fair shout for a penalty, but because I got something on it, I think I'm probably OK there."
QOC: Correct Call / Video: Complete sequence of Keane's stoppage time goal to ice the contest
Analysis: Law 12 specifies referees shall judge play, if a trip is to be ruled, in relation to 3 levels of severity.
1) No Booking for Careless conduct—which includes lack of attention or acting without precaution.
2) Yellow Card for Reckless conduct—a player acts with complete disregard to the danger to his opponent.
3) Red Card for Excessive force—far exceeding necessary use of force; in danger of injuring an opponent.
If holding is to be ruled (and in addition to a direct free or penalty kick), no booking is required unless:
1) Yellow Card for Unsporting behavior—clearly prevents opponent from gaining possession or advantage.
2) Red Card for "DOGSO"—Denying an Obvious GoalScoring Opportunity by holding an opponent.
Referee Petrescu may also have been correct to issue a red card for DOGSO in this situation; however, because the violator was a goalkeeper, the DOGSO and excessive standards are elevated.

Wrap: Houston Dynamo vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS Cup), 12/1/12

2012-13 TFFL: Day 32, Technical Fouls 216 - 224

Day 32 of the NBA season featured 10 games which produced 9 technical fouls.

216: 48 Scott Foster, 74 Curtis Blair, 45 Brian Forte. Nets' Bogans; 2nd, 10:27 (double-217).
217: 48 Scott Foster, 74 Curtis Blair, 45 Brian Forte. Heat's Allen; 2nd, 10:27 (double-216).
218: 48 Scott Foster, 74 Curtis Blair, 45 Brian Forte. Heat's Spoelstra; 2nd, 5:49.
219: 48 Scott Foster, 74 Curtis Blair, 45 Brian Forte. Nets' Johnson; 4th, 8:56.
The Miami Heat ultimately won the contest, 102-89.

220: 13 Monty McCutchen, 20 Leroy Richardson, 79 Kevin Scott. 76ers' Turner; 2nd, 0:47.9 (double-221).
221: 13 Monty McCutchen, 20 Leroy Richardson, 79 Kevin Scott. Bulls' Noah; 2nd, 0:47.9 (double-220).
The Chicago Bulls ultimately won the contest, 93-88.

222: 17 Joe Crawford, 33 Sean Corbin, 68 Marat Kogut. Hornets' Anderson; 4th, 8:44.
The Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately won the contest, 100-79.

223: 49 Tom Washington, 6 Tony Brown, 44 Eli Roe. Mavericks' Mayo; 1st, 6:15.
224: 49 Tom Washington, 6 Tony Brown, 44 Eli Roe. Mavericks' Carlisle; 1st, 1:37.
The Dallas Mavericks ultimately won the contest, 92-77.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (49 pts) ump89, youthministeradam.
3. (48 pts) flasherasher.
4. (46 pts) Eagle_12.
5. (45 pts) Bino, Niicker, cyclone14.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 31, Technical Fouls 210 - 215

Day 31 of the NBA season featured 11 games which produced 6 technical fouls.

210: 24 Mike Callahan, 16 David Guthrie, 29 Mark Lindsay. Raptors' Kleiza; 3rd, 9:02.

The Toronto Raptors ultimately won the contest, 101-97.

211: 15 Bennett Salvatore, 20 Leroy Richardson, 26 Pat Fraher. Celtics' Terry; 1st, 10:56.

212: 15 Bennett Salvatore, 20 Leroy Richardson, 26 Pat Fraher. Trail Blazers' Matthews; 2nd, 1:56.

The Boston Celtics ultimately won the contest, 96-78.

213: 48 Scott Foster, 56 Mark Ayotte, 74 Curtis Blair. Hawks' Smith; 1st, 0:52.1.

The Cleveland Cavaliers ultimately won the contest, 113-111.

214: 43 Dan Crawford, 47 Bennie Adams, 44 Eli Roe. Thunder's Westbrook; 2nd, 1:43.

215: 43 Dan Crawford, 47 Bennie Adams, 44 Eli Roe. Jazz's Corbin; 4th, 7:02.

The Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately won the contest, 106-94.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (48 pts) ump89.

2. (46 pts) Eagle_12.

3. (45 pts) Bino.
4. (44 pts) youthministeradam

5. (43 pts) flasherasher.

Flopping: Gerald Wallace Receives Warning (7)

The NBA has issued a warning to Gerald Wallace (Brooklyn Nets) for violating the league's anti-flopping rule. Wallace's actions in faking a foul drew an incorrect offensive foul call from Crew Chief Derrick Stafford.

Discipline 7, Violation 1 Warning: Wallace's flop [Video]; Nets-Knicks, 11/26/12.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 29, Technical Fouls 188 - 209

Day 29 of the NBA season featured 11 games which produced 22 technical fouls, a season high.

188: 19 James Capers, 7 Kevin Fehr, 35 Kane Fitzgerald. Celtics' Rivers; 1st, 7:25.
189: 19 James Capers, 7 Kevin Fehr, 35 Kane Fitzgerald. Nets' Wallace; 2nd, 1:02.
190: 19 James Capers, 7 Kevin Fehr, 35 Kane Fitzgerald. Nets' Wallace; 2nd, 0:29.5 (double-191).
191: 19 James Capers, 7 Kevin Fehr, 35 Kane Fitzgerald. Celtics' Garnett; 2nd, 0:29.5 (double-190).
192: 19 James Capers, 7 Kevin Fehr, 35 Kane Fitzgerald. Nets' Humphries; 2nd, 0:29.5 (consec-193).
193: 19 James Capers, 7 Kevin Fehr, 35 Kane Fitzgerald. Nets' Humphries; 2nd, 0:29.5 (consec-192).
Nets forwards Humphries and Wallace ejected for second technical fouls (Related Post: NBA Ejections)
*Celtics' Rajon Rondo ejected for fighting, but did not receive a technical foul due to connecting punch/push*
The Brooklyn Nets ultimately won the contest, 95-83.

194: 36 David Jones, 74 Curtis Blair, 26 Pat Fraher. Suns' Morris; 3rd, 10:24 (double-195).
195: 36 David Jones, 74 Curtis Blair, 26 Pat Fraher. Pistons' Maxiell; 3rd, 10:24 (double-194).
196: 36 David Jones, 74 Curtis Blair, 26 Pat Fraher. Suns' Brown; 3rd, 9:39.
197: 36 David Jones, 74 Curtis Blair, 26 Pat Fraher. Suns' Dragic; 3rd, 8:40.
198: 36 David Jones, 74 Curtis Blair, 26 Pat Fraher. Suns' Telfair; 3rd, 5:03.
The Detroit Pistons ultimately won the contest, 117-77.

199: 71 Rodney Mott, 11 Derrick Collins, 34 Kevin Cutler. Mavericks' Carter; 2nd, 6:47.
200: 71 Rodney Mott, 11 Derrick Collins, 34 Kevin Cutler. Mavericks' Da. Jones; 4th, 9:55 (double-201).
201: 71 Rodney Mott, 11 Derrick Collins, 34 Kevin Cutler. Bulls' Robinson; 4th, 9:55 (double-200).
202: 71 Rodney Mott, 11 Derrick Collins, 34 Kevin Cutler. Mavericks' Murphy; 4th, 8:36.
The Chicago Bulls ultimately won the contest, 101-78.

203: 49 Tom Washington, 40 Leon Wood, 77 Karl Lane. Raptors' Acy; 4th, 3:37 (double-204).
204: 49 Tom Washington, 40 Leon Wood, 77 Karl Lane. Grizzlies' Gay; 4th, 3:37 (double-203).
Toronto Raptors' Quincy Acy committed a Flagrant Type 1 foul at 3:37 in the 4th quarter.
205: 49 Tom Washington, 40 Leon Wood, 77 Karl Lane. Grizzlies' Selby; 4th, 0:15.8.
The Memphis Grizzlies ultimately won the contest, 103-82.

206: 27 Dick Bavetta, 8 Marc Davis, 58 Josh Tiven. Thunder's Thabeet; 2nd, 8:54.
Initially ejected by Marc Davis, Hasheem Thabeet's ejection was rescinded (Video: Thabeet reinstated).
The Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately won the contest, 120-98.

207: 23 Jason Phillips, 12 Violet Palmer, 31 Scott Wall. Clippers' Odom; 3rd, 6:45.
208: 23 Jason Phillips, 12 Violet Palmer, 31 Scott Wall. Clippers' Turiaf; 3rd, 5:50.
209: 23 Jason Phillips, 12 Violet Palmer, 31 Scott Wall. Clippers' Barnes; 4th, 9:44.
The Los Angeles Clippers ultimately won hte contest, 101-95.

TFFL Standings Update
1. (46 pts) ump89.
2. (44 pts) Eagle_12.
3. (43 pts) Bino, youthministeradam.
5. (42 pts) JRD.

NBA Ejections: Capers, Fehr & Fitzgerald (3)

Referees James Capers, Kevin Fehr and Kane Fitzgerald ejected Nets forwards Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace for two technical fouls each and Celtics guard Rajon Rondo for throwing a punch during an altercation in the second quarter of the Nets-Celtics game. With 0:29.5 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Humphries committed a shooting foul against Celtics center Kevin Garnett, resulting in free throws. Replays indicate Humphries illegally contacted Garnett's face, the call by Kane Fitzgerald was correct, while Rondo appeared to flagrantly shove Humphries after the ball became dead, the ejection for fighting was correct. At the time of the ejections, the Nets were leading, 51-35.

Because the fight spilled over into the spectator area, both teams and instigator Rondo may be subject to further heightened disciplinary action.

Wrap: Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics, 11/28/12
Video: Nets & Celts brawl after a hard foul along the TD Garden baseline, three ejected

2012-13 TFFL: Day 28, Technical Fouls 182 - 187

Day 28 of the NBA season featured 5 games which produced 6 technical fouls.

182: 55 Bill Kennedy, 20 Leroy Richardson, 60 James Williams. Suns' Brown; 3rd, 9:32 (double-183).
183: 55 Bill Kennedy, 20 Leroy Richardson, 60 James Williams. Cavaliers' Waiters; 3rd, 9:32 (double-182).
184: 55 Bill Kennedy, 20 Leroy Richardson, 60 James Williams. Suns' O'Neal; 4th, 9:47.
The Phoenix Suns ultimately won the contest, 91-78.

Referee Joe Crawford calls a blocking foul in the 4th quarter.

185: 17 Joe Crawford, 45 Brian Forte, 73 Tre Maddox. Pacers' West; 3rd, 2:56.
186: 17 Joe Crawford, 45 Brian Forte, 73 Tre Maddox. Lakers' Bryant; 3rd, 1:26.
187: 17 Joe Crawford, 45 Brian Forte, 73 Tre Maddox. Pacers' Young; 4th, 9:31.
The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, 79-77.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (46 pts) ump89.

2. (43 pts) Bino, youthministeradam.

4. (42 pts) JRD.
5. (40 pts) Niicker, flasherasher.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 27, Technical Fouls 172 - 181

Day 27 of the NBA season featured 8 games which produced 10 technical fouls.

172: 19 James Capers, 47 Bennie Adams, 34 Kevin Cutler. Trail Blazers' Matthews; 4th, 3:20.
The Detroit Pistons ultimately won the contest, 108-101.

173: 43 Dan Crawford, 7 Kevin Fehr, 16 David Guthrie. Bulls' Noah; 1st, 1:41.
The Milwaukee Bucks ultimately won the contest, 93-92.

174: 23 Jason Phillips, 45 Brian Forte, 56 Mark Ayotte. Jazz's Tinsley; 1st, 7:50.
175: 23 Jason Phillips, 45 Brian Forte, 56 Mark Ayotte. Nuggets' Faried; 2nd, 4:09.
176: 23 Jason Phillips, 45 Brian Forte, 56 Mark Ayotte. Jazz's Jefferson; 3rd, 12:00.
177: 23 Jason Phillips, 45 Brian Forte, 56 Mark Ayotte. Nuggets' Iguodala; 3rd, 3:24 (consec-178).
178: 23 Jason Phillips, 45 Brian Forte, 56 Mark Ayotte. Nuggets' Iguodala; 3rd, 3:24 (consec-177).
Advisory: Denver Nuggets G Andre Iguodala ejected (second technical foul).
179: 23 Jason Phillips, 45 Brian Forte, 56 Mark Ayotte. Jazz's Corbin; 4th, 4:03.
The Utah Jazz ultimately won the contest, 105-103.

180: 8 Marc Davis, 70 Brent Barnaky, 30 John Goble. Clippers' Barnes; 3rd, 0:38.4.
181: 8 Marc Davis, 70 Brent Barnaky, 30 John Goble. Clippers' Del Negro; 4th, 9:29.
The New Orleans Hornets ultimately won the contest, 105-98.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (43 pts) ump89, Bino.

3. (40 pts) youthministeradam.

4. (39 pts) JRD, cyclone14.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 26, Technical Fouls 169 - 171

Day 26 of the NBA season featured 6 games which produced 3 technical fouls.

169: 43 Dan Crawford, 68 Marat Kogut, 65 Sean Wright. Knicks' Wallace; 2nd, 5:24.
The New York Knicks ultimately won the contest, 121-100.

170: 41 Ken Mauer, 36 David Jones, 79 Kevin Scott. Trail Blazers' Hickson; 3rd, 10:06.
171: 41 Ken Mauer, 36 David Jones, 79 Kevin Scott. Trail Blazers' Jeffries; 4th, 8:50.
The Brooklyn Nets ultimately won the contest, 98-85.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (42 pts) ump89, Bino.

3. (40 pts) youthministeradam.

4. (39 pts) JRD, cyclone14.

NFL Ejections: John Parry's Crew (1)

Referee John Parry's crew ejected New Orleans Saints Broderick Bunkley for a personal foul (unneccessary roughness) in the 4th quarter of the 49ers-Saints game. With 1:13 remaining in the 4th quarter, 49ers kicker David Akers' field goal attempt was blocked and recovered by Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins. After the play, Bunkley appeared to kick 49ers offensive tackle Alex Boone in the head, resulting in his immediate disqualification from the remainder of the game. At the time of the ejection, the 49ers were leading, 31-21. The 49ers ultimately won the contest, 31-21.

Wrap: San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints, 11/25/12
Video: Bunkley kicks his opponent, is summarily ejected for this flagrant act

NFL Ejections: Alberto Riveron's crew (1, 2, 3)

Referee Alberto Riveron's crew ejected Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth for instigating a fight/throwing a punch and Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly and defensive end Lamarr Houston for leaving the sideline/bench area during the 4th quarter of the Raiders-Bengals game. With 7:16 remaining in the 4th quarter, Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith was called for a false start; however, as the ball had been snapped and both teams were engaged in play at the time of the whistle, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton—operating from the shotgun position—was tackled, an action which Whitworth took offense to, drawing a flag for unnecessary roughness and resulting in a fight. At the time of the ejections, the Bengals were leading, 27-10. The Bengals ultimately won the contest, 34-10.

Immediately prior to the false start, a pass from Dalton to wide receiver Mohamed Sanu was completed and a fumble was forced by Raiders cornerback Joselio Hanson. However, an inadvertent whistle prematurely killed the play while the ball was loose in bounds and prior to the Raiders' ensuing recovery and return for a touchdown. Pursuant to NFL Rule 7-2-n, "when an official sounds his whistle erroneously ... the ball becomes dead immediately." Accordingly, Riveron offered the team last in possession (Bengals) the opportunity to replay the down or to put the ball in play where it had been declared dead via the inadvertent whistle, either option negating the apparent Oakland score. Cincinnati elected to replay the down, subsequently resulting in the aforementioned false start sequence.

Wrap: Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals, 11/25/12
Video: As officials whistle a false start penalty, Andy Dalton is tackled and a bedlam of a brawl ensues